Commissioner's 'flying visit to Airbus and South West' helps regional research and development - Watson

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 7th Oct 2005

Today and Thursday saw Commissioner Janez Potočnik, who holds the scientific research portfolio in the European Commission, tour parts of the South West and meet representatives of leading research and development companies and organisations at the invitation of South West MEP Graham Watson.

Commissioner Potočnik's visit began yesterday with a tour of the Airbus UK site in Filton, Bristol. Following hot on the heels of the announcement about the new long-distance Airbus A350, Graham Watson, who accompanied the Commissioner throughout the tour, remarked,

"The Commissioner's visit came just at the right time. We were able to brief him fully on the A350 project and secure his commitment to continued support for Research and Development in aeronautical engineering".

The tour of the Airbus site included meeting both Brussels and Filton-based members of the Airbus team involved with the development of the A350.

Graham Watson and the Commissioner then travelled to Bath where the Commissioner spoke at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, addressing the future of the European Union, and opportunities in Research and Development. Introduced by Graham Watson, Commissioner Potočnik finished speaking by taking questions from the BRLSI and members of the public attending.

After the meeting ended, Graham took the Commissioner to a dinner at the Francis Hotel in Bath, where he was able to meet and talk to prominent local business people and academics on a one-to-one basis.

On Friday morning Graham and the Commissioner met the Vice-Chancellor of Bristol University over breakfast before attending the meeting of Higher Education Regional Development Association South West (HERDA - SW), on the University campus where presentations on a range of regional research projects took place, including urban transport, climate change, eHealth networks, blood grouping and marine environment.

After the presentations, Commissioner Potočnik took part in an open discussion where he answered a number of questions put to him by the participants.

Commenting on the value of the morning's activities, Graham Watson said,

"This morning's showcase of regional development projects will enable the Commissioner to return to Brussels with a much better idea of the role of the South West in research and development within the wider context of the European Union."